Who was your most influential teacher? Why? – A good question from the daily writing prompt.
I’d say it’s a tie between my high school biology teacher and my art teacher. The reason they were so influential wasn’t because of the subject they were teaching but the life lessons they taught me.
The first taught me there was time for fun and a time to grow up through several personal stories. The second taught me about the freedom of artistic expression and gave me a lifetime desire to pursue it. On that one I just got a late start.
Then again, my daughter is a teacher, and she has always influenced me from the day she was born.
Commentary – I’m not sure eliminating the Department of Education is a good thing. I think it could turn out quite poorly for students with the greatest needs and probably makes it harder for teachers overall.
Other replies to today’s question found here
March 22, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Funny how real teachers don’t always wear name tags. Some come with chalk, some with paint, and some just arrive quietly when we least expect—like your daughter.
Your biology teacher sounds like someone who taught more about being alive than just life science. And your art teacher? Like someone who gave you wings and said, “Fly crooked. That’s still flying.”
I liked how you showed that good teachers don’t just fill our heads—they open hidden doors in the mind. Losing support for them would be like tearing out the roots and hoping the tree still stands.
Thanks for sharing this. It reminded me that the best lessons in life are often drawn in pencil—not permanent, but always worth keeping.